Blue Back Plate Silver Close Combat Clasp – AGMUK

Product Description: This Blue Back Plate Silver Close Combat Clasp is a rare and extremely desirable variant, in outstanding condition. It is struck from fine zinc. The front of this stunning clasp features at least 90 percent of the original thick silver plating. Some slight wear to high points reveals the gray color of the zinc. The original silver finish shows light and very attractive age patina, with some light, mellow golden tones. All of the original fine detail remains fully evident.  The blued steel backing plate contrasts beautifully with the old silver look. On the reverse, this clasp is well marked, with the designer of the award “Peekhaus in Berlin) as well as the “large font” A.G.M.u.K. maker mark indicating manufacture by the firm of Arbeitsgemeinschaft Metall und Kunststoff in Gablonz. The reverse of this clasp has an uncleaned, old patina, with some minor light surface rust to the blued steel backing plate. The desirable blue back plate remains firmly affixed with the original crimps. The hardware setup on this attractive piece is all-original, itact, and functional, and features a block hinge, solid brass banjo pin, and round wire catch. The condition is excellent. This Blue Back Plate Silver Close Combat Clasp is a choice piece; it would be hard to find a nicer one.

Historical Description: The Close Combat Clasp (Nahkampfspange) was instituted on November 25, 1942, to recognize the feats of German soldiers in close quarters combat. Units with soldiers who survived hand-to-hand fights with the enemy and other extremely close-range combat actions would keep track of the dates and places of each of these battles, and soldiers who managed to make it through many of these fights became eligible for this award. Because only front-line troops with direct combat experience could earn this clasp, it was a regarded by the soldiers as a very prestigious award. The Close Combat Clasp was awarded in three grades: Bronze, for 15 close combat days; Silver, for 25 close combat days, and Gold, for 50 or more days of close combat. Hitler reserved the right to personally award the Gold Close Combat Clasp, which was widely regarded as more prestigious than even the Knight’s Cross. The total amount of these clasps awarded, in all grades, was fewer than 50,000.

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